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Should we feel sympathy for Rob Ford?

City of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford addresses the media outside office in Toronto on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013. Ford was responding to a new video that was released. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's very public meltdown has overshadowed the fact that he is a man dealing with drug and alcohol issues most often dealt with very privately. Despite calls from many allies for him to seek treatment, Ford has refused to admit to any substance abuse issues. Should we feel sympathy for Rob Ford as he wrestles his demons in the scorching heat of the public spotlight?

Thomas Bink: You guys know where I stand on this. I've never accepted alcoholism or drug use as an excuse for behavior or as a reason to forgive and forget. I am acutely aware of the power of addictions, and I understand how powerful they can be. But I don't believe it's "an illness" like the flu, and I don't believe it's an acceptable clear-all for bad behavior. Look, if Ford has a problem, he should get help. But I'm not going to forgive how he's embarrassed the city and put important council business in jeopardy. He volunteered for the most powerful office in the city, he should be accountable for his actions, regardless of his personal demons.

Andy Radia: I've gone through a series of emotions on this. Obviously, Ford has made some bad decisions and needs to step down for the good for the city. But I'm growing increasingly uncomfortable with media, his council colleagues and the jokesters out there who are making a very public spectacle of this man's very serious and personal illness. Maybe alcoholism isn't an illness like the flu or cancer but doctors and scientists do classify it as an illness that needs treatment. Again, 'experts' will tell you that the hardest thing for addicts to do is to admit they have a problem. Ford is clearly not at that stage yet. On the issue of this being a distraction — who's making it a distraction? I think the answer to that is the media and his council colleagues. But maybe that's a debate for another time. For now, I can't even begin to imagine what Ford is going through having to deal with his sickness in the public spotlight. Yes, I feel sympathy for the man and think we all need to take a step back and let his family and loved ones help him through this difficult process.


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Matthew Coutts: Yeah, I think the idea that this isn’t a distraction should be set aside. American news shows are doing live hits from Toronto City Hall, Ford and his brother are leaving or dodging meetings to avoid awkwardness. Not to mention Ford’s continual absences — police documents show he met with his alleged drug-dealing buddy when he was supposed to be at work. But our real focus should be on Ford’s refusal to address his demons. At this point it is beyond argument that he has substance abuse problems, whether that substance is alcohol or hard drugs. Yet he says drugs were a onetime thing and that the only problem with his drinking is that he got caught in public. Who knows how far he has to fall before he realizes that he needs actual help. Until then, are we really supposed to be held hostage? I don’t have sympathy for Ford right now, and the continual coverage is both justified and important. It may be the only way to make him realize the depths of his issues. When he says, “I have a problem, I am stepping down and seeking treatment,” he will earn my sympathy. Not forgiveness.

Bink: It's impossible to feel sympathy for the guy. This train wreck was all his own making, and the citizens of Toronto are just along for the ride. He's promised in the past to cut back on boozing, and next thing you know he's confessing to being "hammered down on the Danforth," being "extremely, extremely inebriated" or "in a drunken stupor." Toronto needs strong, accountable leadership. If Ford has a drinking or drug problem, step aside and deal with them on your own time.

Radia: I think we all agree that this is not an ideal situation. Ford's behaviours are typical of anyone who has an addiction. I know you guys are averse to calling it a disease, but doctors and scientists will tell us it is an illness. But my main point is that the throng of media camped out in his office and some of his fellow councillors who seem to gleefully go on television to knock him isn't helping anyone or anything. Yes — he needs to step aside and get some help. But Ford is not just a politician; he's a human being who is going through a really difficult time. And I think we should all just step back and let those close to him guide him to getting that help.

Coutts: That’s the thing. Criticizing and mocking Mayor Ford isn’t the same as being unsympathetic toward Citizen Ford. As long as he continues to bury the problem and deny his issues – which he continues to do even on his apology tour – no one with any skin in the game can turn the other cheek. If he steps down and seeks actual help — not just by getting a driver and taking breathalyzer tests — the public healing can begin. It doesn’t forgive him for the lying, potential illegalities and breaches of public trust. But those are issues that are reasonable to leave for election day. The continually inevitable crash of a mayor and his city, however, should be stopped in its tracks. Just because a presumably sober Rob Ford was elected to stop the gravy train, it doesn’t mean a drunken, inebriated Rob Ford is allowed to drive it off a cliff.

Bink: Cheers to that.